Nicola Sturgeon believes air strikes could cause a ‘dangerous escalation of international tensions’PRESS ASSOCIATION/JANE BARLOW

Scotland’s first minister warned that the legal grounds for missile strikes against Syria “seem thin” yesterday, amid a backlash against Theresa May’s decision to deploy British forces without consulting parliament.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was not convinced that air strikes would resolve the conflict in Syria and could instead trigger “a dangerous escalation of international tensions”.

Her concerns were echoed by Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader, and Patrick Harvie, co-convener of the Scottish Greens.

The government’s legal position, drawn up with the advice of attorney general Jeremy Wright and presented to cabinet ministers last week, said the use of force was justified to alleviate “overwhelming humanitarian suffering”.